Outline

The MTU School of Building & Civil Engineering is pleased to offer a PhD scholarship for research in the area of digital construction, with specific focus on the role of leadership and cultural change in effecting digital transformation of the sector. The scholarship is set within the Build Digital Project which is five-year collaborative large-scale project aiming to transform the Irish construction and built environment sectors by enabling all stakeholders to develop, maintain, and continuously improve their capabilities through digital adoption to support delivery of Project Ireland 2040. The project will provide leadership and coordination, particularly for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), suppliers, and clients, to improve efficiency, productivity, and international competitiveness on a sustainable basis in Ireland. The project is funded through the Department of Public Enterprise & Reform (DPER) and the project includes partners across the Higher Education Sector in Ireland and CiTA (the Construction Industry Technology Alliance). The Build Digital Project consortium includes Munster Technological University (MTU), Technological University Dublin, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (Atlantic Technological University), University College Dublin, Waterford Institute of Technology (South East Technological University), with the Construction IT Alliance (CitA). Further details of the project are available at www.builddigital.ie

The PhD scholarship will be primarily related to the leadership and cultural change pillar (i.e. Pillar 1) of the project. The Digital Leadership & Cultural Change pillar’s role is to drive the culture change required to realise digital transformation in support of innovative, effective, and sustainable evolution in mindset and practice within the construction industry sector. This pillar will enable parallel positive impacts for organisations across productivity, energy performance, sustainability, decarbonisation, the circular economy, procurement, standards adoption, and BIM adoption.

An outline of the work which the successful candidate will undertake as part of his/her/their research PhD thesis as part of the Build Digital Project includes:

1) State of the art literature review – Key words: Industry/sector leadership; Cultural change at sector/industry level; Digital Transformation; Digital construction capability/capacity within a national and international context.

2) Wide ranging interaction with industry stakeholders (e.g. Contractors, Private Consultants and Built Environment/Construction Service Providers, Government Agencies, Digital Providers

etc.) nationally and internationally to inform development of strategies and tools to support digital transformation.

3) Development of a strategy and/or digital tool to support digital transformation within the sector. The vision is that strategy and/or digital tool will support industry stakeholders to undertake a gap analysis of their capability and capacity for digital transformation – this element will be informed by precedent set within other industry contexts, e.g. Finance (Fintech), manufacturing (automation) etc.

4) Production of project reports as required

This research position, which is currently available, offers candidates an opportunity to work within a large Irish consortium and as part of a multidisciplinary research environment within MTU. The PhD candidate will have opportunities for international travel to major conferences and for project collaboration. The PhD candidate will be required to play a key role in the planning and execution of industry-based workshops aimed at understanding and responding to industry perspectives. The PhD candidate will also work closely with colleagues in MTU in the Sustainable Infrastructure Research & Innovation Group within the School of Building & Civil Engineering.

What is funded

The successful candidate will receive a stipend of €18,500 per annum for a maximum of four years and an annual contribution of €6,000 towards tuition fees.

Duration

4 Years

Eligibility

Applicants should hold a Bachelor degree (minimum final grade 2.1 or equivalent) or a Master Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Computer Science, Business or a similar cognate discipline. The ideal candidate will have a background in leadership and cultural change within the context of digital transformation. Fluency in English and excellent written and oral presentation skills are required.

Written applications, in English, should include:

• a concise C.V.

• a one-page letter of motivation describing why you are interested in this position

• an English language test certificate, if applicable

• contact details for three references.

Along with the application, please include a copy of relevant qualifications such as official university transcripts.

Please email applications to Dr. Joe Harrington (joe.harrington@mtu.ie):

By 16.00CET /17.00GMT on 26th April 2022.

Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview in late April/early May, 2022.